EU reacts to ETS criticism

By Victoria
February 15, 2012 15:23

EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard has called on countries opposed to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to file a formal complaint to the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). She also denied claims by the environment ministers of Brazil, South Africa, India and China in a statement condemning the EU ETS that the EU acted unilaterally. She said that the EU had been fighting for a multilateral system that was blocked by other countries.

Hedegaard reiterated comments by European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas that the EU would not drop the airline program in the face of growing criticism, including warnings that the issue could spark a global trade war.

“I see absolutely no need that people should escalate the discussion here,” she said.

“Nobody has an interest in a trade war and everybody knows that,” she added. “It’s not that you can threaten us to change the law.”